Operations Manager- Drilling Offshore

Position: Technical Operations Manager – Offshore Drilling (Semi-Submersible Rig)

Location: Mumbai (HO) / Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico (Base Office with Offshore Visits)

Reporting To : Chief Business Officer – Offshore / CEO

Employment Type: Full-Time / Project Based

Age Criteria : 45 to 50 years

Position Summary

The Technical Operations Manager shall be responsible for the overall technical leadership, activation, commissioning, contract readiness, operational performance, maintenance oversight, regulatory compliance, asset integrity, budget management, and management reporting of the Company's Semi-Submersible Offshore Drilling Rig deployed for operations in Mexico

The incumbent will lead the rig activation program from its current condition through refurbishment, repair, certification, commissioning, client acceptance, mobilization, and commencement of drilling operations, while subsequently ensuring safe, efficient, compliant, and profitable rig performance throughout the contract period.

Key Responsibilities

Rig Activation, Reactivation & Commissioning

• Lead and manage the complete rig activation, refurbishment, repair, upgrade, and commissioning program.
• Conduct technical due diligence, equipment condition assessments, gap analyses, and readiness reviews.
• Develop activation schedules, critical path plans, budgets, and mobilization strategies.
• Coordinate OEMs, service providers, shipyards, contractors, and specialist vendors.
• Ensure operational readiness of drilling, marine, power generation, well control, safety, accommodation, and support systems.
• Manage classification, statutory inspections, certifications, audits, and client acceptance requirements.

Contract Readiness & Mobilization

• Ensure compliance with all contractual obligations and technical requirements prior to contract commencement.
• Coordinate logistics, procurement, manpower readiness, certifications, and mobilization activities.
• Interface with Client representatives during inspections, acceptance testing, and readiness reviews.
• Support project execution and mobilization planning from shipyard/base to drilling location.

Operations Management

• Monitor and support offshore drilling operations to achieve safe and efficient performance.
• Drive operational excellence, equipment reliability, uptime, and contractual compliance.
• Review drilling performance, downtime, Non-Productive Time (NPT), maintenance status, and operational KPIs.
• Coordinate with OIM, Toolpushers, Maintenance, Marine, HSE, and Client representatives.
• Lead troubleshooting, technical problem-solving, failure investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintenance & Asset Integrity

• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
• Ensure effective management of asset integrity, equipment reliability, and critical spare parts.
• Review equipment failures, root cause analyses, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Monitor maintenance backlog, equipment performance, and lifecycle management.
• Ensure compliance with maintenance management systems and industry best practices.

Compliance, HSE & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with PEMEX requirements, Mexican regulations, Class, Flag State, SOLAS, MARPOL, MODU Code, and Company standards.
• Promote and drive a strong safety culture across all operations.
• Participate in risk assessments, audits, incident investigations, emergency preparedness reviews, and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Ensure all statutory, classification, and operational certifications remain valid throughout the contract period.

Budget, Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage activation and operational budgets, cost controls, and technical service contracts.
• Monitor project expenditure and identify opportunities for cost optimization.
• Coordinate with OEMs, service providers, shipyards, vendors, classification societies, and regulatory authorities.
• Support manpower planning, crew competency management, succession planning, and mobilization activities.

Management Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Develop and present periodic technical and operational reports to Management.
• Monitor rig performance against approved KPIs, budgets, schedules, and contractual commitments.
• Provide regular updates on activation progress, operational performance, maintenance status, HSE metrics, downtime, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Support Management decision-making through technical analysis and performance reviews.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Mechanical, Marine, Electrical, Petroleum Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 15 years of offshore drilling industry experience, including at least 10 years in senior technical, maintenance, marine, or operational leadership roles.
• Proven experience in Semi-Submersible Rig Operations, Rig Reactivation/Commissioning, Asset Integrity Management, Maintenance Management, and Offshore Drilling Operations.
• Previous experience with international offshore drilling contractors, Gulf of Mexico operations, or PEMEX projects will be highly preferred.

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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Successful rig activation and mobilization within approved schedule and budget.
• 100% certification and regulatory compliance prior to contract commencement.
• Rig uptime exceeding 98%.
• Reduction in Non-Productive Time (NPT) and equipment downtime.
• Achievement of HSE targets with zero major incidents.
• Positive client performance evaluations and contractual compliance.
• Effective budget management and operational cost control.